What are some of the amenities you should look for in a gym? If you’re going to spend at least $50 a month on a gym facility, shouldn’t you have everything your heart desires? There was a time when all fitness centers must have treadmills, mats, and elliptical bikes. But those days are gone now. The competition is as tough as ever. Gym facilities have evolved to have hotel-like amenities.
Most bathroom vanity suppliers have replaced basic bathroom stalls with stylish ones designed to keep the steam while showering. Gone are the musty odors of the locker rooms. Gyms have equipped these rooms with diffusers and essential oil wicks. They now smell like lavender, geranium, and peppermint. The spa-like experience adds to the allure of going to the gym.
So if you’re looking for a gym to spend your $50 to $100 on, what are the amenities you should be looking for? What facilities should you be able to enjoy? These amenities should push you to spend more time in the gym and have a healthier and fitter lifestyle.
Cardio and Strength Equipment
If you want to lose weight, cardio equipment such as treadmills, elliptical bikes, stationary bikes, and stair climbing machines are going to be your best friends. They increase your heart rate, which makes you burn calories faster. Your gym should have a lot of cardio equipment because that’s where most gym-goers spend their time in. This is also the first one you need to do when working out.
Strength equipment includes weights, dumbbells, barbells, body bars, kettlebars, resistance bands, and sandbags. There should be ample space for free weights, or you can work out in a class or with a personal trainer. With strength training, you can rebuild muscles, burn calories, and get stronger.
Childcare Facilities
Many gym-goers are also parents who can’t commit to a workout regime because of their kids. If you have the same worries, some gyms now offer childcare facilities. You can drop the kids off for an hour or two while you work out. There are babysitters and other children there to keep your kids entertained. There are amenities such as educational toys, indoor playground, and books to keep the kids from getting bored.
Sauna and Masseuse
If you’re going to pay north of $100 a month for a gym membership, that gym should have a sauna and a masseuse for your sore muscles. A sauna will help you feel more rejuvenated after a workout. It will also help you shed off some pounds. A massage room with a dedicated masseuse should keep your muscles from getting too sore. This is especially important for first-time gym-goers as their bodies are still not used to the rigid exercises.
Smoothie Bars
The hardest part of staying fit and healthy is the lack of available nutritional ready-made and to-go food. A gym should give its members the option of grabbing a fruit- and vegetable-based smoothie and granola bar before their scheduled workout. This will keep them from binging on junk and fat-heavy food after they’ve spent an hour or two in the gym.
Review all the amenities that your gym offers. Most gyms will allow you to try their amenities for free for a day or two. That experience alone should give you ample information to sign up or not for membership.
